Big Brothers Don't Take Naps

Young Nick adores his big brother%E2%80%94and what's not to like? When it comes to older siblings, James is a Platonic ideal: confident, competent (he can dial his grandparents' phone number all by himself), infinitely patient, and inclusive. He mentors Nick (teaching him to count backward so they can pretend they're rocket ships), reads to him, shows him animal pictures online, and, as Borden (The Lost-and-Found Tooth) writes, James "always stops and waits for me to catch up. Every time." But most important, James helps Nick come to terms with a big and fast approaching "surprise"%E2%80%94the arrival of a baby sister%E2%80%94by telling him that he'll be joining the brotherhood of big brothers, whose member privileges include not taking naps. Dodd (I Don't Want a Cool Cat!) excels at articulating a preschooler's point of view%E2%80%94her bold black outlines, bright preschool palette, and roundheaded characters are the essence of eager earnestness and unalloyed love. If older brother James is perhaps too understanding, the story remains a tender portrait of sibling affection. Ages 3%E2%80%937. (June)